Jared Allen injures ankle in Vikings practice

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen limped toward the locker room with his left knee taped after Tuesday’s practice. He rolled his ankle during the 2-minute drill work, reports The Minneapolis Star Tribune.

“We’ll look it over,” Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said, “and determine whether or not we need to do an MRI.”

Allen wasn’t planning to play in Friday’s preseason opener against the Houston Texans regardless of his health. He will also likely miss Wednesday’s practice.

“I’m hoping I’m not playing. I can have a day off,” Allen told the Star Tribune before Tuesday’s practice.

Allen, who is in the final year of his contract, carries a cap number of more than $17 million, so the Vikings have every reason to protect him.

Allen wasn’t the only Vikings player to suffer an injury on Tuesday. Starting safety Harrison Smith twisted his knee, but was able to run a few drills with the defensive backs at the conclusion of practice.

“It doesn’t seem that way watching him move around,” Frazier said. “But you never know. So they’re going to check it out to make sure.”